David Gray

Executive Director

David Gray’s introduction to dance came during his first job after graduation from the Johns Hopkins University when he worked in publishing. Authors included Agnes De Mille, Leslie Caron, Judith Jamison, Jacques d’Amboise, and his son Christopher. Before long, Mr. Gray was working in the Press Office of New York City Ballet where he met and married Principal Dancer Kyra Nichols. Mr. Gray became the Press Director of New York City Ballet before moving on to pursue work in finance, becoming a Certified Financial Planner.

Yet nonprofit work continued to be a significant part of his client base, and when he moved back to his hometown of Princeton, New Jersey, he became Executive Director of American Repertory Ballet, the largest dance organization in the State. In the years that followed, Mr. Gray became an itinerant Interim Executive Director, aiding organizations in various stages of transition, including the New Brunswick Cultural Center, The New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and the Princeton Symphony Orchestra before coming to Pennsylvania Ballet. He also became a sought-after lecturer on nonprofit management and finance.

While Mr. Gray insists that he is only “married” to the world of dance, there is a ballet studio in his home where you can see photos of his elder son getting a piano lesson while sitting on the lap of choreographer Jerome Robbins, a pointe shoe autographed by Michael Jackson, and photos of his wife with George Balanchine and Mr. Robbins.

Among Mr. Gray’s interests are playing guitar, sailing, and writing. He is a published author with a few books to his credit, including the The Finance Arts Guide to Nonprofit Cash Flow and a novel, Escape From Verona, Romeo and Juliet Part Two. While Mr. Gray has never lived in Philadelphia, he recites a long list of Philadelphia experiences, dating back to the late 1960’s when his mother received her graduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He recently came across the opening day program from the Phillies 1971 season (“My first big league experience.”). In more recent years he has watched his elder son compete at the Penn Relays and brought his younger son to Phillies games. “My younger son is a catcher so he is a huge Carlos Ruiz fan.”

Mr. Gray and his wife live in Princeton, where they are raising their two sons, Joe and Cameron.